Toy railway



May 31, 1932. J. c. KOERBER TOY RAILWAY Filed June 2 1928 2 Sheets-SheetINVENTOR John fjfo'erer BY mam, QWMTOFQNEY May 31, 1932. Q KQERBER1,860,864

TQ-Y RAILWAY Filed June 2, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l NVENTOR 70km (ffiaerber BY lli gum m ATTORNEY 12,5 139 15;:

Patented May 31, 1932 UNITED STATES JOHN C. KOERBER, OF SOUTH ORANGE,NEW JERSEY TOY RAILWAY Application filed June 2, 1928.

This invention relates to toy railways and has for its principal objectto provide an improved signaling system for toy railways and also toprovide an improved means adapted for use in conjunction with thesignaling system for controlling the movement of trains.

A further object of my invention is to provide a system. of thischaracter which is simple and efiicient in operation, economica-l tomanufacture which is composed of parts which may be easily assembled anddisassembled and which may be readily applied to toy railways now inuse.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved means formanually operating toy railway electric signals and for controlling themovements of toy railway trains, and a further object is to provide anovel switch or circuit controlling means adapted for use in my improvedsystem.

Toy electric railways now in use comprise a track formed in sectionswhich are joined together end to end, each section comprising two wheelbearing rails and a third rail which is insulated fro-m the wheelbearing rails. The third rail is adapted to supply current to the motorof the vehicle on the track, the return circuit from the motor usuallypassing through the car wheels to one or both of the wheel bearing railsand thence back to the source of current supply. In applying my improvedsystem to toy railways of the type described, I connect the tracksections together in such a way that one or more of the rails of one ofthe sect-ions is insulated from the corresponding rail or rails ofadjacent sections, the insulated rail or rails serving to carry currentwhen the vehicle is in contact therewith as will be more fully explainedhereafter.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved means bywhich rails of adjacent sections may be insulated from one another.

Other objects of my invention will appear from the following descriptiontaken in connection with the following drawings, wherein Serial No.282,481.

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of one form of my improved system.

Fig. 2 shows one form of my improved switch adapted for use in thesystem shown in Fig. 1, this figure being a sectional view partly inelevation taken on the line 22 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View partly in elevation taken on the line 33 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View partly in elevation taken on the line l4 ofFig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation partly in section showing a semaphore adaptedfor use in the system shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of parts of two successive sections of a toyrailway track showing one form of means employed by me to insulate railsof the two sections from one another, and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of part of the structure shown in Fig. 6.

Referring to Fig. l, 10 represents a portion of the railway trackcomprising two outside wheel bearing rails 11 and 12 and a third ormiddle rail 13 which is insulated from the wheel bearing rails. Thetrack is formed of sections joined end to end. The two outside rails ofeach section being 1nechanically and electrically joined at their endsas indicated at 14 to corresponding rails of the adjacent sections thecorresponding rails of successive sections thus forming a continuousconductor. One or both of the outside rails is connected by means of aconductor 16 to one terminal of a suitable source of current supply suchas the secondary 17 of the transformer 18.

The third rail 13 is not a continuous conductor but comprises one ormore portions or sections 20 which are insulated at their ends from theremaining portions of the third rail. The insulated sections 20 arelocated at those points of the track at which a slowing-down or stoppingof the train is desired. All parts of the third rail other than thesections 9.0 are connected, as by a conductor 21 to the other terminalof the source of supply.

Reference character 30 represents a semaphore which may be located atthe side of the track adjacent the insulated rail section 20. Thesemaphore 30 comprises an incandescent signal lamp 32, one terminal ofwhich is connected to one terminal of the source of supply by means of aconductor 39, a conductor 34, outer rail 11 and conductor 16. The otherterminal of lamp 32, which is grounded on the semaphore casing isconnected to the other terminal of the source of supply through thecasing to binding post 36 and thence through conductors 38 and 21.

Adapted to be swung or rotated in front of the signal lamp 32 is asemaphore arm 40 having two colored screens 41 and 42. The arm 40 isadapted to occupy two positions, one a raised position in which thecolor screen 41 is positioned in front of the lamp, this screenpreferably being green to indicate clear and a lowered position in whichthe screen 42 is positioned in front of the lamp, the screen 42 beingpreferably red to indicate danger.

The semaphore arm 40 is rotated by a rod 45 which is moved by a solenoidcomprising coils 46 and 47. The coil 46 when energized raises the rod 45and swings the arm 40 to its lower position, thus moving the red screen41 to position in front of the lamp. The coil 47 when energized lowersthe rod 45 and swings the arm 40 to its upper position, thus moving thegreen screen 42 to position in front of the lamp. The semaphore arm 40and actuating rod 45 are so constructed and supported that when thesemaphore arm is moved by a solenoid coil to either of the two positionsabove described, it will remain in such position after the solenoid coilis deenergized.

One terminal of each of the solenoid coils 46 and 47 is connected to theupper terminal of the transformer secondary 17 as shown in Fig. 1through conductor 49, conductor 34, outside rail 11 and conductor 16.The other terminal of coil 46 is connected through conductor 50 to thestationary contact 51 of a hand switch or circuit controlling means 55.The other terminal of coil 47 is connected to a stationary contact 57 ofthe switch by means of a conductor 59.

The switch 55 comprises a hand lever 58 pivoted at 61 and normallybiased by means of the spring to position between the stationarycontacts 51 and 55. Switch lever 58 is adapted to be swung or moved tothe left or right so as to engage the switch contacts 51 or 57. Switchlever 58 is connected by means of a conductor 63 with the lower terminalof the transformer secondary as shown in Fig. 1.

Pivoted below the switch lever 58 is a conducting member 62 which iselectrically connected to the lever 58 and is adapted to be moved intoand out of engagement with a stationary switch contact 64. Contact 64 isconnected by means of a conductor 65 to the insulated third rail section20.

The pivoted member 62 is formed with two upwardly extending projectionsor lugs 66, one or the other of which is adapted to be engaged by adownwardly extending projection 67 on the switch lever 58, and movedinto or out of engagement with the contact 64, as this lever is swung inone direction or the other from its central position. The projections 66on the member 62 are so spaced that after the member 62 has been movedto position into or out of engagement with contact 64, the switch lever58 may return to its normal or central position without further movingthe member 62.

In operation assuming that the parts are in the positions shown in Fig.1; the switch lever in its central position; the member 62 in engagementwith the contact 64 as shown in full lines and the semaphore arm 40 isin its raised position. Assume further that a train indicated by T isapproaching the insulated section 20 from the right as is indicated bythe arrow. l/Vith the train in the position shown current for operationof the train motor flows from the lower terminal. of the secondary 17through the third rail 1.3, and thence through the train motor to theoutside rail 11 and thence to the upper terminal of the secondary 17.the semaphore solenoid are deenergized, the circuit through these coilsbeing broken at the switch contacts 51 and55. The signal lamp 32 whichas shown is connected across the terminals of the secondary 17 islighted and as the semaphore arm is shown in its raised position, thesemaphore shows a green or clear signal.

If the hand switch is allowed to remain as shown, the train T passesover the insulated section 20, the train motor receiving current fromthe section 20 which is connected to the lower terminal of the secondary17 through conductor 65, contact 64 and member 62 of the hand switch 55and conductor 63.

If however, it is desired to have the train stop automatically at thesection 20, the hand lever 58 is moved toward the left so as to engagethe contact 51. The hand lever 58 after momentarily engaging contact 51,may then be released. Engagement of the lever 58 with contact 51 closesthe circuit through the upper coil 46 of the semaphore solenoid, thuslowering the arm 40 to danger position. The movement of the hand lever58 into engagement with cont-act 55, moves the member 62 out ofengagement with the contact 64 and thus breaks the circuit connectionbetween the secondarv 17 and the insulated rail section 20. Whentherefore the train reaches the section 20, its motor is deprived ofcurrent and the train stops.

To start the train, the switch lever 58 is then swung toward the rightto engage mo- .95 Both of the coils of ISO imentnri'ly the contact .157.This movement iOf the :le-uer458 retnnnstheimember 62 to posi- :tion inengagement-with :the contact 6t, thus "closing-the circuit between thelower tennitnal of the secondary '17 and the insulated railsection 20,.and .causin current to be supplied to the train motor. ilngagement ofthe lever '8 with the contact 51 energizes the coil 47 of thesemaphoresolenoid and swings the :arm to its raised for clear position.

:2, .3 and-4 show the detail construc- :tlOlJ IOfllllG hand controllingswitch 55. This switch comprises a casing 71 preferably formed .ofsheetmetal open at its bottom and having at its bottom inwardly extendingflanges provided with downwardly extending screw threaded lugs 73adapted to receive nuts 74; to secure the casing 71 removably to a baseplate or member 75. Secured by brackets 77 to the base plate 74: is aninsulated panel member 78 which extends upwardly into the casing 7 :1and serves to sup port the :fixed and movable contacts of the switch.The switch .lever 58 is pivotally mounted on a screw 80 extendingthrough the panel 7 8 and secured in position by a holding nut 82. Theswitch lever 58 is provided with an operating handle 81 which projectsoutwardly through an arcuate slot in :the side of the casing 71. Themember 62 is pivoted on an eyelet 83 located below the lever 58 and bothlever and member 62 are electrically connected by a strip 87 secured bythe eyelet 83 and nut :82 to the back of the y panel 78.

Mounted on the base 75 outside the casing '71 are two spaced parallelinsulating plates 7 one end to the bottoms of the eyelets 90 and extendbeneath the base 75 and thence through \openings 92 and 93 in the base75 and bracket 77 respectively to their respect-ive contacts. The metalof the base 75 is cut away immediately below the eyelets 90 so as toprevent contact of the connections with the metal'of the base, and thebase 75 as shown is dished or .formed with clownwardly projecting outeredges so as to provide a space beneath the base to accommodate theconductors 94. \Vhen the casing 71 is securedin positionon the base 7 5opposite lower edges of the casing are each positioned between aninsulating strip :88 and :abracket 7 7 the strip and bracket thusserving to hold the lower edges of .the casing.

The spring which serves to :retain the lever 58 in its central positionis preferably formed of a steel wire secured at its lower end to theback of the panel .75 by the nut 82 lamp 32 is supported.

and extends upwardly through .a slot or opening 100 in the connectingstrip :87. The upper end of spring "60 is Ebent over the top of thepanel 7 5 and engages the-lever 58 throughan opening in the upper end ofthe lever. The spring 60 which serves to .bias

"the lever 58 towards its central position is preferably .tensi'oned insuch a way that it also pulls the upper end of the lever 58 toward thepanel 75, and in this manner insures a good electrical contact betweenthe lever :and the stationary contacts '51 and 55. As a means forlimiting the swinging movement of the lever 58 in either direction Iprovide sheet metal pieces or brackets 103, whichare secured to the backof the panel by eyelets that form the contacts 51 and '57. These metalpieces 10.3 are bent forwardly :around the side edges of the panel and:extend into the path of the lever .58.

In the form of switch shown in Figures 2 and d the closing-of the'contacts to one or another of .the solenoid coils always precedes themaking or breaking of the circuit to the rail section 20. Thusin movingthe switch handle toward the right from its position shown in Figure 2,the switch arm :58 engages the contact 57 an instant before the 5comprises a bottom casing 120 preferably formed of non-magnetic metal bydie casting.

The casing 120 carries a vertical tube .121

screw-threaded into the znpp'er end oft'he casing and closed at its topby a screw threaded knob 123. Secured totheupperpart of the tube 121 bymeans ofa set screw 124 is a sheet metal casing .125 to which thesemaphore arm 40 is pivoted and in which casing the An imitation ladder126 formed of stamped sheet metal extends from the base of the lowercasing '1201to the upper casing 125. The lower end of the ladder 126 isseated in openings 128 in the base of the casing 120 and its upper endis bent horizontally beneath the casing 125 and provided with an opening130 through which the tube 121 extends. As'will be seen when the uppercasing 125 is secured to the tube 121 byithe set screw l2eltheladder isheld between the casing 125 and the base of casing 120 without othersecuring means. In assembling the semaphore the ladder 126 may serve asa convenient means for positioning casing 125 on the tube 121.

Longitudinally movable in the tube 121 is the rod 45. the lower end ofwhich forms the core of the semaphore solenoid. Secured to the upper endof the rod 45 is apin 133 which projects outwardly through openings inthe tube 121 andcasing 125 and is connected at its outerend to thesemaphore arm. The rod when moved by thesolenoid serves to swing the arm40.

The casing 120 is open at its bottom and extending across this openingis a plate 138 removably secured by screws 139 to the bottom of thecasing 120. The solenoid coils 46 and 47 which are located inside thecasing 120 are mounted on the plate 138. It will be seen that removal ofthe plate 138 from the casing serves to remove the solenoid coils fromthe casing.

In Figs. 6 and 7, I have shown one form of means employed to insulateone or more of the rails of a section of the track from correspondingrails of adjacent sections. The track sections disclosed in Fig. 6 areof the type now commonly employed and comprise two outer rails and amiddle or third rail secured together by sheet metal ties 140. The railsare formed of sheet metal, the upper part or heads of the rails beingtubular as indicated at 141. In Fig. 6, I show the corresponding outerrails of the two sections mechanically and electrically connected bymetal pins 143, which extend into the tubui sist in holding the tracksections in proper alignment with one another and also i' or holding theadjacent ends of the metal rails spaced apart and insulated from oneanother, I provide an insulating plate or member 146, which is adaptedto bepositioned between the rail sections. Member 146 is formed withprojections 147 which extend on opposite sides of the middle rail andengage the inner faces of the webs 148 of the outer rails.

It is obvious that by the use of the insulating plate 146 any one of thethree rails of a section may be insulated from the corresponding railsof adjacent sections, it being merely necessary to remove the propermetal pins 143 prior to assembling the sections with the member 146.

In the specific embodiment of the signaling system herein disclosed, Ihave described the semaphore as adapted to display a red and greensignal indicating respectively danger and clear conditions. I may ifdesired substitute for the red screen on the semaphore arm a yellowscreen to indicate caution and I may connect the insulated rail section20 to the remaining portions of the third rail by means of a resistancewhich will supply to the train motor a relatively small currentsufficient to operate the motor at a low speed. \Vith such a connectionand with the parts in the positions shown in Fig. 1, this resistancewill be short circuited and the train will pass over the insulatedsection 20 without change inspeed. If however, it is desired to displaya caution signal and cause the train to slow down when passing over thesection 20,

the switch lever arm 58 is moved toward the a left to engage fixedcontact 51. This operates and the insulated section 20 at the contact64. The train when it reaches insulated section 20 will then slow down,the train motor receiving relatively low current through the resistanceconnecting the section 20 with the remainder of the third rail. Ifdesired, the section 20 may be connected to adjacent sections of thethird rail by pins similar to the pins 143, except that they are formedof material having sufficient electrical resistance to materially reducethe current flowing into section 20.

I claim:

1. A switch having a lever and two spaced contacts adapted to be engagedby said lever, a third contact, a switch member adapted to engage saidthird contact, connections between said lever and member for operatingsaid member to engage or disengage said third contact when said lever ismoved into contact with one or the other of said first named contacts,said connections permitting said lever to move out of contactingengagement without moving said member, a source of current connected tosaid lever and memher, a toy railway track having an insulated railsection connected with. said third contact and a signaling device havingselective controlling means electrically connected to said first namedcontacts.

2. A switch having a lever and two spaced contacts adapted to be engagedby said lever, means biasing said lever to a position out of engagementwith said contacts, a third contact, a switch member adapted to engagesaid third contact, connections between said lever and member foroperatingsaid member to engage or disengage said third contact when saidlever is moved into contact with one or the other of said first namedcontacts, said connections permitting s'aidlever to move out ofcontacting engagement without moving said member, a source of currentconnected to said lever and member, a toy railway track having aninsulated rail section connected with said third contact and a signalingdevice having selective controlling means electrically connected to saidfirst named contacts.

3. A toy electric railway comprising a track and vehicle adapted to runon said track, a semaphore comprising an element movable to diiferentpositions to display different signals and adapted to remain in theposition into which it is moved, means for moving said elementcomprising a plurality of coils, a switch adapted to be moved todifferent positions for selectively energizing said coils andsubsequently controlling said vehicle and means biasing said switch to aneutral position.

4. A toy electric railway comprising a track and a vehicle mounted torun on said track, a semaphore comprising an element movable todifferent positions to display different signals, a switch adapted to bemoved to different operative positions to control said vehicle andsignal and circuit connections between said semaphore, switch and track,said switch in moving to each operative position serving to control saidsemaphore and subsequently to control said vehicle.

5. A toy electric railway having a track and vehicle adapted to move onsaid track, a wayside accessory, independent circuit connections to saidvehicle and accessory, and a switch having contacts connectedrespectively to said circuit connections for controlling the movementsof the vehicle and the accessory, said switch serving to control themovement of the vehicle subsequent to the control of the accessory.

6. A'toy electric railway having a track and vehicle adapted to move onsaid track, a signal, independent circuit connections to said vehicleand signal and a hand operated switch having contacts connectedrespectively to said circuit connections for controlling the movementsof said vehicle and said signal, said switch serving to control themovement of the vehicle subsequent to the control of the signal.

7 A switch having a lever and two spaced contacts adapted to be engagedon said lever, a third contact, a switch member adapted to engage saidthird contact and connections between said lever and member foroperating said member to engage or disengage said third contact whensaid lever is moved into contact with one or the other of said firstnamed contacts, said connections permitting said lever to move out ofcontacting engagement without moving said member, means biasing saidlever to a position out of said contacting engagement, a source ofcurrent connected to said lever and member, a toy railway track havingan insulated railway section connected to said third contact and asignal device having selective controlling means electrically connectedto said first named contacts.

8. A toy electric railway comprising a track having an insulated railsection and a vehicle adapted to move on said track, a waysideaccessory, a switch having two movable contacts, cooperating contact-sadapted to be engaged by said moving contacts, circuit connectionsbetween said switch, and accessory and said section, and a lost motionconnection between said movable contacts to permit controlling of saidaccessory without altering the circuit connections of said section.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this28th day of May, A. D. 1928.

' JOHN C. KOERBER.

